Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced its renewed partnership with UAE-based agri-tech platform, Fresh On Table, at Gulfood 2023, with the aim of doubling the amount of local produce procured for the brand’s properties in the country.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has today revealed positive signs of recovery for the Travel & Tourism sector in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as overseas travellers head back, providing a much-needed boost to economies across the country.
Abu Dhabi’s hotel occupancy remained roughly 5 percentage points lower than pre-pandemic levels, while average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) far exceeded recent comparables for the month, according to preliminary January 2023 data from STR.
Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors in 2022, growing 97 per cent YoY from the 7.28 million tourist arrivals in 2021, according to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The growth, which enabled the emirate to surpass global and regional tourism recovery levels, contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the world’s top three cities for travel and business.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into management agreements with Rua Al Madinah Holding Company to manage three new Hyatt-branded hotels, including Grand Hyatt Madinah, Hyatt Regency Madinah and Hyatt Place Madinah. Upon opening, these properties will participate in the World of Hyatt loyalty program and will add a combined 1,729 room keys to Hyatt’s portfolio in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, significantly expanding Hyatt’s brand presence in the country and demonstrating its commitment to strategic growth of its portfolio in key markets that matter to its guests, World of Hyatt members, customers and owners.
Dubai’s hotel occupancy came in lower than the pre-pandemic comparable, but average daily rate (ADR) once again pushed revenue per available room (RevPAR) far above 2019 levels, according to preliminary December 2022 data from STR.
In this series, we go behind the front desk to learn everything from the strangest room service requests to quirky fun facts to the most heartwarming reunions. We pick a new destination and hotel each month to give you the inside scoop.
Jeddah’s hotel performance came in lower than the month prior but surpassed pre-pandemic comparables, according to preliminary November 2022 data from STR.
Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), responsible for the transformation of Diriyah, the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, into one of the greatest gathering places in the world, today announces adding 16 new global hotel brands to its already impressive hospitality portfolio which includes 16 additional global brands. Bringing the total to 32 hotel management agreements with the world’s most prestigious hotel brands, with our first hotel planned to open in 2023.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of its milestone 250th hotel in Saudia Arabia. The Taj-branded hotel is in partnership with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), who are responsible for the transformation of the historic city of Diriyah, The City of Earth, into a world-class mixed-use development. The hotel will be part of the Diriyah project, located in close proximity from downtown Riyadh, which envisions the location’s development as an international cultural and lifestyle destination inspired by the birth place of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has made a call to action for worldwide collaboration among likeminded National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) in creating a new Tourism Innovation Index (TII) to enable sustainable, competent and innovative tourism landscape across the globe.
The much awaited 22nd FIFA men's World Cup is taking place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022. The small and oil and natural gas-rich Arabian Gulf nation has reportedly spent $200 billion so far on infrastructure to accommodate over one million visitors during the month-long sports extravaganza. Against this backdrop, the Qatar economy is expected to grow at a faster pace of 4.6% in 2022 compared to 1.5% in 2021, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Dar Al Arkan, the leading real estate company in Saudi Arabia, and The Trump Organization signed an agreement in New York to develop a signature Trump Resort, including residential villas, a hotel, and a golf course in the AIDA project. Located in Muscat, the 100-meter-high hilltop development is one of the largest premium mixed-use real estate projects in the world, situated by the sea.
Located at the world’s most anticipated ultra-luxury experiential resort Atlantis The Royal, Nobu by the Beach is set to change the face of Dubai’s beach and pool club scene when it opens in Q1, 2023. Blending modern cool luxury and minimalistic Japanese traditions into a one-of-a-kind pool and beach club experience, Nobu by the Beach is slated to become the city’s most stylish location to see and be seen.
With the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicking off on Sunday, 20 November, Qatar’s hotel industry is looking forward to a nice performance lift from this “mega event” as fans from all over the world are set to visit the Middle East for a game (or several) of football.
Riyadh’s hotel industry showed improved performance from the month prior, according to preliminary October 2022 data from STR.
IMARAT Group has signed a franchise agreement with Marriott International to develop a Courtyard by Marriott project in DHA Multan. The signing ceremony took place at Marriott International’s Office in Dubai.
GRAMMY® Award-winning, RIAA platinum-certified international icon Tiësto has joined forces with multi-platinum singer/songwriter Tate McRae and Dubai’s new ultra-luxury resort Atlantis The Royal to create the spectacular new single, “10:35,” listen HERE. The track is joined by a strikingly conceptual music video that will make its broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU, MTV Biggest Pop and Paramount Times Square Billboards. The visual is highlighted by a performance from Tiësto and Tate throughout the stunning Atlantis The Royal resort, with the Dubai skyline as the glittering backdrop. Watch HERE.
It is well known to everyone that Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is an architectural marvel that has put Dubai on the world map. The sail-shaped hotel was designed to become the icon of Dubai; a hotel that reflected the emirate’s past and its future as well as its bold ambition to become one of the most culturally diverse and dynamic cities in the world. The all-suite hotel not only challenges the norms of hotel design but has also redefined the meaning of luxury hospitality in both Dubai and around the world. Dubai's most iconic hotel and a global icon of Arabian luxury, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is the flagship hotel of Jumeirah Group’s portfolio of exceptional properties, representing a timeless pinnacle of luxury.
Across the months of November and December 2022, Qatar will welcome football fans from across the globe as the first Arab nation to host the FIFA World Cup. With the first match kicking off on 20 November, hotel bookings in the country have ramped up since rooms were released to the public earlier this month. Over the coming months, STR will deliver a series of articles to analyze hotel booking trends for the “mega event” as well as examine historical data as it actualizes—not only in Qatar but surrounding destinations before and after the event.